Fractured collarbone leaves Packers scrambling for QB

Shouldering load

Published: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013 12:23 a.m. CST

Caption

(AP)

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers heads to the locker room after being injured during the first half of Monday's game against the Bears at Lambeau Field. Rodgers said that he has a fractured collarbone and that he is uncertain how many games he will miss.

BY GENARO ARMAS
Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Mr. Reliable is taking a seat.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday he has a fractured left collarbone and has no idea yet how long he will be out.

The 2011 NFL MVP offered details of the injury on his weekly radio show on 540-AM ESPN. He got hurt after getting sacked by Shea McClellin on a third-down play during the Packers' first series while he was scrambling outside the pocket. He hurt his left, non-throwing shoulder.

"I do have a fractured collarbone. That's a significant injury," Rodgers said. "We'll know more about the severity and the timetable later this week."

Rodgers said he was holding out hope he would heal quickly. "In this case, it was considerably more pain than I've felt in a long time," he added.

That collective groan you heard came from the state of Wisconsin.

On a team rocked all season by injuries, Rodgers had been the constant, and the Packers had reeled off four straight wins despite being without top players like linebacker Clay Matthews (thumb), Randall Cobb (leg) and Jermichael Finley (neck).

Losing Rodgers might be the most devastating blow of all.

His timing, accuracy and footwork have been typically top-notch. Protected by an improved offensive line, and complemented by a rejuvenated running game, the Packers looked to be serious NFC contenders again considering guys like Matthews and Cobb were expected to return.

Rodgers entered Monday night having completed 67 percent of his 249 pass attempts for 2,191 yards and a 108.0 quarterback rating. He has 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions.

And since taking over for the equally dependable Brett Favre in 2008, Rodgers has only missed a game due to injury once – on Dec. 19, 2010, for a concussion.

Now he's out and the offense is in the hands of backup Seneca Wallace, who finished 11 for 19 for 114 yards and an interception against the Bears. The 27-20 loss left Green Bay in a three-way tie atop the NFC North with Chicago and the Detroit Lions, who were idle last week. The Packers host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Rodgers got emotional at one point during his 15-minute radio appearance when he described the reception he got from fans as he walked back to sideline in green warmups in the third quarter.

"We put our bodies on the line. We do it because we love this game. But when I walked back out on that field – I'm getting a little choked up here just thinking about it," Rodgers said, "that was one of the top five moments of my career there."